6 Kitchen Cabinet Trends

Everyone has their view on the latest “trends’ in our industry – and here are some very good observations that we happen to agree with. Sleek, sophisticated and modern are gaining strength, even in the Midwest which has been historically a very “Traditional Design” market.

– Kurtis Kitchen & Bath

6 Kitchen Cabinet TrendsBy Ryan Hassid

Cabinetry is reaching a new high in the American home. The industry is booming, and according to research from RnRMarketResearch.com, demand for cabinets in the U.S. is forecast to rise 6.6 percent annually to $16.0 billion in 2018 because of the rise in housing and residential construction spending. Meaning, more houses and buildings are being built!

Eighty-one percent of cabinet demand comes from the kitchen, which is expected to see the fastest growth through 2018, with demand totaling $13.1 billion, according to RnRMarketResearch.com. With this type of growth, it’s important to understand the newest trends, needs and technologies hitting the market.

Southern California-based Bay Cities Kitchens and appliances gives its top six predictions for cabinetry this year.

Color Means More. “Black, white and gray have been dominating for a couple of years now,” said Ted Benz, Bay Cities senior designer. “Soft, muted colors are returning, and accents of strong, saturated color are revisited this year. High gloss, low sheen and no sheen in neutral triads are blending and continuing to trend.”

Laminate is Chic. According to Benz, textured European laminate mimicking the beauty of wood tones is better than ever before. Engineered surfaces are meeting the challenge of replicating our formerly dominant, natural, high-maintenance products. Retro modernist concepts are morphing into more tasteful and refined offerings. Brands like Bauformat have introduced concrete appearance laminate into the market, which gives a unique, cutting-edge look that vies for attention and demands popularity in chic, hip and modern kitchens.

Technology Meets Cabinetry. In a technology-obsessed society, servo drive uses an electronic amplifier to give cabinetry a touch-and-motion-driven behavior. With a simple wave of the hand or touch of the finger, cabinets will slide, open and close. The clean look and simplistic design of these cabinets give consumers a modern feel.

Storage and More Storage. Storage options are meeting the needs of a clutter-free kitchen, with cabinets and drawers that can conceal custom features. Swinging doors now open to surprise with pullout doors attached to shelves for pots and pans, holders for recycling, garbage bins or trash compactors and racks for canned and dry goods. Customizable drawer inserts can be set up to hold dishes, silverware or cutlery.

Light the Way. LED lights can light inside or underneath cabinets to give not only ease for eyesight but also provide a stylish look and are considered energy efficient. LED lights for cabinetry come in warm- and cool-toned colors perfect for trends to be seen this year.

Built-In Appliances. You can now build in and integrate appliances with custom cabinet fronts so that they blend in seamlessly with the surrounding cabinets and virtually disappear from sight. This provides a sophisticated and modern look that is a trend that will continue.

Modern and ultra-modern are continuing to be in demand – the urge is for simplicity that modern brings to the eye. Cabinetry is reaching its technical zenith with mechanization, ease of use and care and practical options. This year will be the new leading edge of what has come before. Enjoy!